Lady Aurelia, a record-setting winner of a maiden special weight at Keeneland in April, followed up with a blowout victory in the Queen Mary Stakes (Eng-II) for 2-year-old fillies June 15 at Royal Ascot in England.
Owned by Stonestreet Stables, George Bolton, and Peter Leidel, Lady Aurelia took the early lead under Frankie Dettori and, when asked with about two furlongs to run, drew away with ease to win the about five-furlong turf event by seven lengths.
"It was breathtaking from the top," Dettori said. "To win a sprint by seven lengths at Royal Ascot, I've never seen anything like that, especially from a two-year-old. I was throwing some very good splits and when I got to the furlong-and-a-half (pole). I asked her to go and she found another gear. I was completely shocked. Unbelievable. She's a lovely filly."
Trained by Wesley Ward, Lady Aurelia—by Scat Daddy—set a track record for 4 1/2 furlongs in :50.85 when she won her career debut at Keeneland by 7 1/2 lengths April 21. Wednesday marked the second straight year Ward has sent out a daughter of Scat Daddy to win the Queen Mary, after taking last year's edition with Acapulco.
Acapulco followed her Queen Mary score with a runner-up finish in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (Eng-I). Ward said Lady Aurelia will continue to train in Europe this summer.
"She's an amazing filly and she'll have a big future," Ward said, noting he may start her against males. "I've got the Molecomb (Stakes, Eng-III, for 2-year-olds at Goodwood) or the (Prix Morny, Fr-I, for 2-year-olds at Deauville) in my mind, but I'll talk to the owners and see if they agree."
On Wednesday Al Shaquab Racing's Al Johrah was second and Clem Fandango third in the Queen Mary, which attracted a field of 17.
Lady Aurelia paid $5.20 to win in North American pools. Bred in Kentucky by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, she was purchased for $350,000 by Bolton and Leidel at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale where she was consigned by Stonestreet, James Herbener Jr., agent.
Harry Herbert, racing adviser to Al Shaqab Racing, said Lady Aurelia delivered a memorable run.
"I can't believe what I've just seen; a remarkable performance," Herbert said. "Al Johrah has run an absolute blinder, but has come across the best 2-year-old filly performance I've ever seen in my life. We're delighted with Al Johrah, who has seen off the rest, but we don't see performances like the winner's very often."
In other races Wednesday at Royal Ascot:
* In the Prince of Wales's Stakes (Eng-I) longshot My Dream Boat rallied from last late to edge 2015 Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. I) winner Found by a neck to win the 1 1/2-mile race for older horses. With the win, My Dream Boat secured his first group I score.
* Trainer Andre Fabre picked up his eighth Royal Ascot winner when Godsolphin's favored Usherette easily won the Duke of Cambridge Stakes (Eng-II). Fabre said he will consider shipping Usherette to the U.S. later this year for a start in the Breeders' Cup Mile (gr. IT).
Sagamore Farm, Allen Rosenblum, and The Club Racing's Miss Temple City finished fourth in the Duke of Cambridge, a one-mile race on the straight course for fillies and mares. Conditioned by Graham Motion, Miss Temple City matched the finish of her previous Ascot trip as the daughter of Temple City finished fourth in last year's Coronation Stakes (Eng-I). In April Miss Temple City won this year's Maker's 46 Mile Stakes (gr. IT) at Keeneland.
